Pros Foundation Repair Greensboro NC requires a delicate balance of courage, knowledge, and prudence. Addressing minor cracks promptly and maintaining proper grading, gutters, and drainage minimize conditions that accelerate deterioration and ensure structural stability in the long run.
Some settling of the foundation is normal, but excessive or uneven settling can lead to bowed walls, cracked floors, gaps around windows and doors, and other serious problems.
Underpinning, also known as house or building underpinning, is a way to strengthen your foundation by redistributing its weight over a larger area. It can be performed for a variety of reasons, including shoring up a structure that wasn’t originally built to standards or has degraded over time, to fix foundations that may be subject to subsidence or land slippage, and to prepare a foundation to support structural adjustments or additional weight.
Whether your home needs underpinning is determined by the results of an expert foundation inspection. The inspector will evaluate the state of your foundation and determine if underpinning is necessary to restore and strengthen the original foundation or to accommodate a structural modification.
There are a number of signs that indicate the need for underpinning, such as uneven or sunken floors or wall cracks from side to side. Foundation settlement can be caused by a number of issues, including improper soil compaction during construction, changes in use or renovations that add weight to the building, nearby construction that necessitates soil excavation, or natural settling over time.
One of the most common methods for underpinning is through concrete underpinning. This method involves pouring new larger concrete footings beneath the existing foundation to improve stability and strength. This is a relatively quick and affordable repair that can be used for homes with minor to moderate foundation issues.
Other types of underpinning include jack pile underpinning, mass pouring underpinning, and mudjacking. Jack pile underpinning is a type of hydraulic underpinning that utilizes jacks to lift and reinforce the foundation. It is most commonly used on weakened or compromised foundations, and it can be performed in various soil conditions. Mass pouring underpinning is a more intensive technique that involves removing the unstable soil and replacing it with large concrete slabs or “mass sections.”
Mudjacking is another form of underpinning, but it uses polyurethane material rather than cement. It’s not a long-term solution and is only really effective in a few situations, such as when the house needs to be jacked up quickly for emergency purposes.
Concrete Piers
A strong foundation is the backbone of your home, but soil shifts can cause it to weaken and crack over time. Concrete piers, or pilings, are a great solution for stabilizing your foundation and stopping future shifting and sinking. This method uses drilled holes and liquid concrete to anchor your foundation to stable ground, and it can also be used to lift homes and other buildings. Learn more about the drilled concrete pier process, including costs and benefits, to see if this is the right solution for your foundation repair needs.
Drilled concrete piers are an affordable and durable solution to stabilize your foundation. They work by drilling deep into your soil until stable soil or bedrock is reached. Then, they are filled with liquid concrete and cured. Once cured, they will transfer the weight of your structure to the underlying soil or bedrock, stopping further shifting and sinking and stabilizing your foundation.
In contrast to footings, which spread the load of your structure horizontally, piers transfer the load vertically, so they are a better option for structures with severe settlement issues. Concrete piers are also an ideal option for repairing pier and beam foundations, which can often develop damage due to moisture changes or age. The concrete piers can be poured into sonotubes, which are concrete tubes that add extra support, or they can be inserted into existing wood beams to provide additional strength.
Compared to steel piers, concrete piers are more cost-effective, making them an affordable choice for many homeowners. However, they may not be as long-lasting, especially in regions with high moisture levels. They also don’t reach as deep into the ground, which means they might not be a good fit for some homes with serious shifting and soil movement problems.
It’s important to find a foundation repair professional with experience and an established track record. Compare quotes and look for a balance of expertise, quality of materials, and price. You can even ask for references from past clients so you can learn more about their experiences with the company. Ask the professionals about their warranties and aftercare services, as well. This will help you determine which company is best suited to meet your unique repair and stabilization needs.
Steel Piers
If you’ve noticed cracks in the walls, doors or windows, a subtle (but unmistakable) floor slant, or other foundation issues, it might be time to get your home lifted and stabilized. The most effective way to do this is by using structural steel piers, also known as “driven” concrete piers or pile guard piers. This method lifts, *levels and stabilizes the foundation, providing a long-term solution for your foundation problems.
This service is usually completed in one day, with minimal disruption to the property and with no need to move or displace the house. Our crew starts by making a 3’x4′ excavation adjacent to the foundation and approximately 10″ below the footing bottom. A support bracket is installed and a hydraulic system connected to it. A steel pipe is then advanced through the bracket until it reaches the point of refusal, which in most cases means the load-bearing strata of the soil. Once the pipe reaches this point, the unified hydraulic jacking system stops driving. The piers are then installed, backfilled and tamped. The resulting lifting, *leveling and stabilization of the foundation eliminates both the cause (unstable soil) and its consequences (dwelling out of level) in one step.
Steel piers are a great option for lifting and stabilizing your home’s foundation because they can reach deeper into the ground than concrete piers. This is particularly important in areas with expansive clay soil or sand, and for homes on sites with poor drainage. Additionally, steel piers are less susceptible to moisture swelling, which can damage concrete piers over time.
While concrete piers are an excellent choice for some homes, it’s important to speak with a foundation repair expert to determine which solution is best for your home and your soil conditions. Concrete piers offer lower upfront costs, but they’re more vulnerable to moisture swelling and can’t be driven as deep as steel piers.
Whether you’re dealing with expansive clay, sand, or other soil conditions, our team can help you find the right solution to restore your foundation. Give us a call today to learn more about our steel piers or schedule a free estimate.
Mudjacking
Mudjacking is an effective way to repair concrete slabs that have sunk. It is much less invasive than concrete replacement and offers long-term stability. It is also less expensive than more comprehensive foundation repair methods.
The process involves pumping a mixture of water, soil and Portland cement under sagging or sunken concrete to lift it back to its original level. A professional will drill holes into the concrete and then pump the slurry underneath. This method can be used for patios, driveways and sidewalks.
Many different factors can contribute to the sinking of concrete slabs. For example, erosion from rainwater or irrigation can wash away soil beneath the slab, causing it to lose support. Poor soil compaction can also cause slabs to settle unevenly. If the ground around a slab is unstable, it can be susceptible to freeze-thaw cycles that can lead to shifting in the structure. In some cases, tree roots can interfere with a slab’s support system.
While mudjacking is an effective solution for uneven concrete, it will not address more significant structural damage. If a slab is severely damaged, it will likely need to be replaced with a new one. Unlike mudjacking, foundation repair with piles or piers can restore a slab to its original position and help it stay there.
If you have a sagging or sunken concrete slab on your property, it’s important to take action quickly to prevent further damage. A concrete contractor can help you determine the best solution for your situation, whether that’s mudjacking or more comprehensive foundation repair.
